Row over Holby City tequila scene

In the show Kyla was now "seeking help for alcoholism", the BBC said

BBC One drama Holby City is to be investigated by media regulator Ofcom, which has received eight complaints about a scene showing heavy drinking.

In last month's episode, a medic asked bar staff to "line up" tequila for her, before telling a male colleague: "Neck these and back to mine."

Drinks industry body The Portman Group said the "graphic portrayal of harmful drinking behaviour was gratuitous".

The BBC said it took the issue of alcohol abuse "very seriously".

"On occasions when our continuing drama series deal with alcohol within a storyline we always seek to handle the issue sensitively," it said in a statement.

The character of Kyla had been experiencing personal problems brought on by alcohol dependency, it added, but had now been seen receiving help for alcoholism.

However, Kyla was not involved in the scene which prompted complaints.

Holby City would continue to "handle the issue sensitively", the BBC insisted.

The Portman Group was set up by the UK's leading alcoholic drinks producers to promote responsible drinking.

"We would expect the BBC to take greater care with the portrayal of alcohol in programmes," it said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for Ofcom said the regulator would examine the complaints received and would publish its findings "in due course".